​Adding touches of stone within a backyard can create a rustic yet elegant atmosphere, blending in beautifully with surrounding natural elements. Here are some ideas for incorporating stone in your own yard:

StepsAdding stone steps to either a front entryway or backyard can create a stunning attraction that catches the eye. Mix and match different tones, colors, and textures of stone to establish a nice contrast between green foliage and rock.

WalkwaysStone walkways are widely unique installations that can be designed in many different ways. Choose large cut stones for a smooth walkway of square or geometric design for a classic modern look. Or instead, use small and rough stones to create a quaint fieldstone path, perfect for cottages and gardens.

DrivewaysRedo a driveway by laying down a pattern of different colored stones to add a cozy and stylish element to your drive. Choose smooth stones in different textures and patterns, and watch your driveway transform into a work of art.

Fillers And PathwaysReplace grass with earthy tones of gravel for a modern and desert feel. You won’t have to worry about the upkeep of watering grass, and gravel provides a natural alternative for those living in hot climates. Gravel is also charming for pathways leading up to a house or for winding around gardens and yards, and provides a nice texture for walking.

PatiosPieces of peach colored flagstone can make the floor of any patio elegant, and adds nicely to a surrounding yard of flowers and trees. Its smooth surface is ideal for families walking and playing, and creates a welcoming atmosphere for parties and relaxation.

Here are a few cost-saving home improvements you can make when you move into a new home!

1. Check Your Energy EfficiencyLow energy costs are a selling feature, but they also save you homeowner costs. Many local utility companies may offer free energy efficiency inspections of your home and/or energy saving workshops.

2. Put Your Money where it CountsRealtors will tell you that while a kitchen or bathroom remodel is nice, putting time and money into a new roof, repairing your home’s exterior, or upgrading plumbing can be a wiser investment. It will pay off in energy efficiency and safety, avoiding costly future repairs.

3. Look at Kitchen and Bathroom RenovationsWhile structural improvements are a safe and wise investment, adding features like granite counter tops, upgrading appliances, or renovating dated bathrooms can help make your house more appealing for future buyers.

4. Consider Curb Appeal Make your house inviting by adding flower beds, tending lawns and making your entrance way attractive. Check out the curb appeal of homes you admire and study landscaping magazines and gardening columns for ideas.

5. Attend to Home MaintenanceIf you’re spending thousands on home renovations but your improvements aren’t well maintained, then it could become money wasted. Make sure the structure—foundation, roof, electrical, plumbing—are in good order.

6. Think About Adding OnEnlarging a room or adding an additional room could increase your home’s resale value. Try adding a sunroom, family room, or an extra bedroom!

There’s a plethora of home organizing products on the market today that can help get your drawers, closets, kitchens, bathrooms or garage tidy and aesthetically pleasing. Here are some neat organization tools that may help save you time searching for lost items and create more space!

Using hangers that don’t come off the rods, boxes for smaller items, shelves and shoe organizers in your closet can turn a small closet into a space that keeps items neatly organized so you can put your hands on items immediately. Some companies will even come to your home and help you choose the products that will make your closet an organizational dream.

If your family has typical items like keys, money to pay the paper boy, the dog’s leash, you should create a spot that becomes the item’s “home.” This might be a bowl or a board with hooks or a drawer in a foyer table. This will help you find those items quickly when you’re on the go!

Hinge hooks are among clever organizational devices for bathroom towels, robes, back door leashes, or umbrellas. They fit neatly on the door hinge and take up practically no room. Furthermore, they can be attached to a lower hinge so kids can reach them.

In most homes, the space under the basement and the main floor stairs is useless. Turn that unused space into storage space with a clever under-the-stairs organizer. It could be used to store athletic equipment, outdoor boots, children’s toys or office equipment.

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Get an organizer that divides the “junk drawer” into spaces. Empty it out and categorize various items.

Paint is often touted as a fast, easy, and inexpensive way to update a home and give it a fresh look. However, picking the right paint color can turn into a major pain; who knew there were so many shades of white? Instead of getting overwhelmed in the home improvement store, use these tips to help you choose the best paint for your home.

1. Find the right sheen

Before deciding on a color, think about what sheen you want the paint to have. The sheen you choose often depends on the amount of wear and tear the paint will take; glossy paints are easy to wipe clean with a damp sponge, making them ideal for homes with small children. Because it can show imperfections, high gloss paint is recommended for trims and baseboards, especially when paired with a flatter wall shade.Semi-gloss is often the most popular sheen choice for interior paints; it has the washability of high gloss while covering imperfections like a matte. While flat or matte paints are the best at covering imperfections on the walls, they also are the most difficult to clean and show stains and fingerprints easily. By thinking about the room you will be painting and the purpose it serves, you can easily find the paint sheen that is right for your family.

2. Identify the mood

Do you want the room you’re painting to feel like a relaxing oasis or an invigorating space? Identifying the mood you want the room to have can help you narrow down choices in paint colors. Buttery yellows create feelings of hominess, while a brighter shade can be energizing. Warmer shades feel more welcoming, whereas cooler colors have a more formal ambiance.

3. Use color to create optical illusions

The color paint you choose can do more than just change your mood - it can also impact how you view a room. Dark colors, for example, make rooms feel smaller, while lighter colors create an airy feel. Visually expand a room by painting the trim a few shades lighter than the wall color; paint can be used to highlight and complement the size, shape, or features of a room.​4. Think big… or smallWhile it’s fairly easy to paint over a color you no longer like, many homeowners are scared to take the plunge into new colors or designs. Because of this, think small before you think big; tackling a smaller room can give you the confidence to make decisions for larger living spaces. Use spaces like a small bathroom or guest bedroom to experiment with color palettes and choices before you commit to painting the rest of the house.